Consensys 对 SEC 加密货币打击行动提出法律挑战

在一份长达 34 页的诉讼中，Consensys 辩称 SEC 试图对以太坊行使管辖权的行为是非法的，并且威胁到区块链技术。美国证券交易委员会的行动，包括向与以太坊基金会相关的实体发出传票以及针对以太坊进行质押，因缺乏明确的监管指导而招致了行业批评。 Consensys 的投诉旨在将以太坊确立为非证券，将 MetaMask 确立为非经纪交易商，并阻止 SEC 将以太坊作为证券进行调查。该诉讼是更广泛的加密行业战略的一部分，旨在挑战 SEC 在第五巡回上诉法院的行动，并可能寻求最高法院的审查。

SEC's Aggressive Crypto Enforcement Campaign Faces Legal Challenge from Consensys

SEC 积极的加密执法活动面临 Consensys 的法律挑战

Consensys, a leading blockchain technology company, has filed a comprehensive 34-page lawsuit against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alleging that the agency's efforts to assert jurisdiction over Ethereum constitute an illegal overreach that threatens the very fabric of blockchain technology.

领先的区块链技术公司 Consensys 已对美国证券交易委员会 (SEC) 提起长达 34 页的全面诉讼，指控该机构对以太坊主张管辖权的行为构成了非法越权行为，威胁到了区块链技术的本质。

In its complaint, Consensys argues that the SEC's assertion that Ethereum is a security is not only erroneous but also poses a grave danger to the Ethereum network and the broader blockchain ecosystem.

Consensys 在投诉中认为，美国证券交易委员会关于以太坊是一种证券的说法不仅是错误的，而且对以太坊网络和更广泛的区块链生态系统构成了严重危险。

Unlawful Seizure of Authority

非法夺取权力

Consensys contends that the SEC's attempt to regulate Ethereum as a security is a clear violation of the law. The complaint states that "the SEC's unlawful seizure of authority over ETH would spell disaster for the Ethereum network, and for Consensys. Every holder of ETH, including Consensys, would fear violating the securities laws if he or she were to transfer ETH on the network. This would bring use of the Ethereum blockchain in the United States to a halt, crippling one of the internet's greatest innovations."

Consensys 认为，美国证券交易委员会试图将以太坊作为一种证券进行监管，这明显违反了法律。起诉书指出，“SEC 非法夺取 ETH 的权力，会给以太坊网络和 Consensys 带来灾难。包括 Consensys 在内的每个 ETH 持有者，如果他或她在网络上转移 ETH，都会担心违反证券法。”这将导致以太坊区块链在美国的使用停止，从而削弱互联网最伟大的创新之一。”

Gensler's Aggressive Enforcement Campaign

Gensler 积极的执法行动

The lawsuit comes amid an increasingly aggressive enforcement campaign by the SEC against leading companies in the cryptocurrency sector. Chair Gary Gensler has led this campaign, which has included a series of subpoenas and Wells Notices targeting firms and developers associated with the Ethereum Foundation.

此次诉讼发生之际，美国证券交易委员会对加密货币领域的领先公司采取了越来越积极的执法行动。主席加里·詹斯勒 (Gary Gensler) 领导了这一活动，其中包括一系列针对与以太坊基金会相关的公司和开发商的传票和威尔斯通知。

Industry Anger and Lack of Clarity

业界的愤怒和缺乏清晰度

Gensler's tactics have drawn the ire of many in the crypto industry, who argue that the SEC has failed to provide clear regulatory guidance tailored to the unique characteristics of blockchain technology. Gensler has dismissed these concerns, asserting that existing securities laws are sufficient and that the industry should simply comply with them.

Gensler 的策略引起了加密行业许多人的愤怒，他们认为 SEC 未能针对区块链技术的独特特征提供明确的监管指导。 Gensler 驳回了这些担忧，声称现有的证券法已经足够，行业只需遵守这些法律即可。

Ethereum's Non-Security Status

以太坊的非安全状态

The controversy over Ethereum is particularly contentious given the SEC's prior statements that Ethereum, like Bitcoin, is not a security. In 2018, a senior SEC official declared that Ethereum had become "sufficiently decentralized" to fall outside the agency's jurisdiction. Furthermore, the agency approved Ethereum futures trading last year, implicitly acknowledging Ether's status as a commodity.

鉴于美国证券交易委员会之前声明以太坊与比特币一样不是证券，因此有关以太坊的争议尤其有争议。 2018 年，一名 SEC 高级官员宣称，以太坊已经“充分去中心化”，不属于该机构的管辖范围。此外，该机构去年批准了以太坊期货交易，含蓄地承认了以太坊作为商品的地位。

Gensler's Recent Focus on Staking

Gensler 最近对 Stake 的关注

Despite these precedents, Gensler has recently shifted his focus to Ethereum's staking feature as a potential basis for asserting jurisdiction. Staking, introduced in September 2022, replaced energy-intensive mining with a system where validators pledge collateral to participate in the validation process.

尽管有这些先例，Gensler 最近将注意力转向以太坊的质押功能，作为主张管辖权的潜在基础。 2022 年 9 月推出的质押，用验证者承诺抵押品参与验证过程的系统取代了能源密集型挖矿。

Consensys' Preemptive Lawsuit

Consensys 的先发制人诉讼

Consensys' lawsuit follows the SEC's issuance of a Wells Notice earlier this month, indicating the agency's intent to sue. Additionally, the SEC contacted Consensys via phone, alleging that its MetaMask platform was operating as an unlicensed broker dealer due to its staking functionality.

Consensys 提起诉讼之前，美国证券交易委员会本月早些时候发布了威尔斯通知，表明该机构打算提起诉讼。此外，SEC 通过电话联系了 Consensys，声称其 MetaMask 平台由于其质押功能而作为未经许可的经纪交易商运营。

MetaMask and Staking

MetaMask 和质押

Consensys vigorously disputes the SEC's characterization of MetaMask. The company argues that the platform merely facilitates Ethereum staking on behalf of users, a process that involves pledging collateral to become a validator. Consensys founder Joe Lubin called the SEC's theory that staking transforms Ethereum into a security "preposterous."

Consensys 强烈质疑 SEC 对 MetaMask 的描述。该公司辩称，该平台只是代表用户促进以太坊质押，这一过程涉及质押抵押品以成为验证者。 Consensys 创始人 Joe Lubin 称 SEC 认为 stake 将以太坊转变为证券的理论“荒谬”。

Lubin's Concerns

卢宾的担忧

Lubin further expressed concern that Gensler's legal position is part of a broader strategy to stifle crypto growth and block pending applications for spot ETFs based on Ethereum, following the success of Bitcoin ETFs. He accused the SEC of attempting "to regulate a technology on its merits," "stifle certain kinds of innovation," and prevent capital from flowing into the crypto ecosystem.

Lubin 进一步表示担心，Gensler 的法律立场是继比特币 ETF 成功之后遏制加密货币增长并阻止基于以太坊的现货 ETF 待决申请的更广泛战略的一部分。他指责美国证券交易委员会试图“根据技术的优点对其进行监管”，“扼杀某些类型的创新”，并阻止资本流入加密生态系统。

Legal Strategy

法律策略

Consensys has filed its lawsuit in Texas, aligning with the crypto industry's strategy of seeking favorable rulings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has historically been more skeptical of agency overreach. A favorable judgment could pave the way for an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Consensys 已在德克萨斯州提起诉讼，这符合加密货币行业在美国第五巡回上诉法院寻求有利裁决的策略，该法院历来对机构越权持怀疑态度。有利的判决可能为向最高法院上诉铺平道路。

Potential Remedies

潜在的补救措施

Beyond declaring Ethereum a non-security, Consensys' lawsuit also seeks to obtain rulings that MetaMask is not a broker dealer, that the SEC is violating the Administrative Procedures Act and the due process clause of the Constitution, and that the SEC be barred from investigating Ethereum as a security.

除了宣布以太坊为非证券之外，Consensys 的诉讼还寻求获得有关 MetaMask 不是经纪交易商、SEC 违反《行政程序法》和宪法正当程序条款以及禁止 SEC 调查的裁决以太坊作为一种证券。